College of the Day: California Institute of Technology

California Institute of Technology

Quick Facts:

Location: Pasadena, CA

Established:1891

Students Enrolled: 2,243

Applicants: 5,537

Male/Female Ratio: 62/38

The California Institute of Technology (Caltech) is a private university located just outside of Los Angeles in Pasadena, California.  The university is situated on a 124-acre campus that has plenty of olive trees, flowers, and lily ponds.  The campus is isolated from all the excitement of LA, but students are able to take a quick metro ride into the downtown area if they choose.

Students wishing to attend Caltech need to be the top in their class and have nearly perfect SAT scores.  Caltech is the hardest university in the U.S. to be accepted into; only 12% of students that apply are accepted. 

Caltech made it's name in physics, but they also offer top programs in math, science, and engineering. Brilliant minds, such as Albert Einstein and Carl Anderson, have graced the halls of Caltech.  The university has had more than 30 Nobel Prize winners among it's student body and faculty.  The coursework is highly challenging and time consuming, but students receive a top notch education.  The freshmen grading system is pass/fail which helps ease new students into the university.  Professors also give take home exams to students and trust the honor system to root out any cheating. 

Student Life:

Students looking to have a large social life in college, should look elsewhere.  Caltech students focus more on education and research than partying.  There are occasional parties on campus, but students are required to hire a professional bartender, who will make sure no one under 21 is served.  Students from other colleges are not allowed to attend Caltech parties unless they accompany a Caltech student. 

Caltech students are guaranteed on-campus or school-affiliated housing for all four years.  Eighty-five percent of students choose to live on campus. There are seven co-ed dorms on campus, which have a vibe similar to a fraternity/sorority, but there is no actual Greek life at Caltech. Each dorm has it's own dining hall, and students are required to buy a meal plan if they live on campus.


Applying:

If you are interested in applying to the California Institute of Technology you should have a Critical Reading SAT score of 720-780 and a Math SAT Score of 770-800. Caltech typically has at least 5,500 applicants each year with only 12% of applicants being accepted.  

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 Source: Fiske, Edward B. "California Institute of Technology." Fiske Guide to Colleges. Vol. 2015. N.p: 109-112. Print